Interventional Radiology - Treatment of Congenital Vascular Malformations
Congenital vascular malformations are disorders of the blood vessels that a person is born with. They may be merely cosmetic abnormalities of the skin which cause no harm to the patient. But more serious types of vascular malformations can occur internally and require treatment. These abnormal tangles of arteries and veins can cause pain and bleeding, and may deprive normal tissues of their blood supply.
Interventional radiologists employ a minimally invasive method called “embolization,” which effectively shuts down the flow of blood to vascular malformations. Guided by x-ray, the doctor inserts a catheter into the artery feeding the malformation. Special medical adhesives, microspheres, or alcohol then flow through the catheter into the artery, filling the vessels and blocking the flow of blood. The malformation then shrinks and no longer becomes a threat to the patient. The patient can usually go home after staying in the hospital overnight.